That’s according to Richard Tanner of the Daily Express, who claims the Portuguese is to sign a deal that will see him take over from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford next season. It’s suggested Mourinho will earn a staggering £15.5 million-a-year in the role, compared to the £15 million annual salary Guardiola is set to pick up across the city.

Tanner cites “reports in Spain” that claim the three-year contract to be signed by Mourinho will be worth a total of £46.5 million, amounting to a weekly wage of £300,000, which is the same as United’s club captain Wayne Rooney.

Mourinho and Guardiola are set to earn staggering amounts in their next jobs.JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

As Spanish football expert Rafael Hernandez notes, should things pan out as expected, the Premier League will be host to some of the best managers in the game next season:

Rafael Hernández @RafaelH117

Premier League will finally be able to claim they have the best coaches in the world again. Exciting times ahead.

However, there are downsides that inevitably accompany the Portuguese, and Guardiola knows about them all too well.

Indeed, Mourinho infamously poked the former Barcelona boss’ assistant, the late Tito Vilanova, in the eye in 2011, and matches between these two great rivals became extremely bitter affairs, per Paul Hayward in the Guardian.

Even so, Bleacher Report’s Graham Ruthven thinks that getting Mourinho in at United would be the smart move to counter Guardiola’s switch to City:

Graham Ruthven @grahamruthven

In so many ways Jose Mourinho to Man Utd makes no sense. But then, it seems the only possible response to City appointing Pep.

Guardiola is, in many respects, the antithesis to Mourinho, with the fact his sides are successful the only real similarity to draw.

Generally, the Bayern Munich head coach is a respectful manager who rarely indulges in controversy, while his teams play an open and aesthetic brand of football; you suspect he won’t relish having to come up against the Portuguese again, though.

Guardiola has sampled success in both of his managerial positions to date.Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

If there is veracity to these reports, it’s a statement from United. Perhaps it’s necessary to pay these kinds of figures to acquire Mourinho, too; after all, he’s a free agent after being let go by Chelsea earlier this season, and there are plenty of clubs on the continent who would love to have a serial winner at the helm, regardless of the baggage.

What they earn will not determine the next chapter in the legacy of each of these great managers, though. How they fare in the pressure-cooker environment of the Premier League in a city renowned for its football fandom will see to that, and for those on the outside of what could be a feisty dynamic, it’s going to make for fascinating viewing.